Die construction



May 6 1924. 1,493,224

A. ALSTON. JR

DIE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 12, 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 e V :3 gwve/wtoz MM 442%; witness? May 6 1924.

A. ALSTON, JR

DIE CONSTRUCTION .F'i led Nov. 12. 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 7 May 6, 1924.

' A. ALSTON. JR

DIE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. '12. 1920 1,493,224 A. ALSTON, JR

DIE CONSTRUCTION Fil e d Nov. 12. 1920 8 Sheets-Shet 6 u I m an a I m V g. w 1 Nfi b -i1ill M w w M May-6 ,1 1924;

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May a, 1924. 1,493,224 A. ALSTON. JR

DIE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 12. 1920 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 flt-kozvm u May 6 1924.

A. ALSTON, JR

DIIE CONSTRUCTfIQN F a m.

Patented May 6, 1924.

UNITED STATES- PATENT oFFlcl-L;

ARCHIBALD ALSTON, JR., OF BELLEVUE, PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNOR TO PBESSED STEEL CAR COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A -CoRPORATIoN OF NEW JERSEY.

DIE consrnuc'rron.

Application filed November 12, 1920.

1 Heretofore the flange of a tank dome has been formed wholly by manual labor and the operations for forming such flange have been as follows: the metal sheet from which the dome is made was first bent to cylindrical form, a portion of one end was then heated, the cylinder was then placed in a former die and the heated portion hammered with sledges until a portion of the flange was formed substantially its proper shape.

26 The cylinder was then removed from the former die and another portion of the end heated, after which the cylinder was again returned to the former die *and the portion of the end last heated was flanged in the manner just described. These operations were continued until the flange was completed, and it will be noted that as only a small portion of the flange could be formed with one heating, it was common practice to heat the cylinder six or seven times, as well as move the cylinder the same number of times from the former die to the furnace and vice versa. After the flange had been completed it was customary to again place the cylinder on the former die, and with proper smoothing tools take out any uneven places in the flange caused by the hammering. It will be noted that this method of flanging a dome is slow, laborious and consequently very costly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a die for forming a flange on tank car domes which will obviate the above obj ectionable operations and will consequently to render such flanging easy, cheap and rapid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a die in which the blank from which the portions 10.

Serial No. 423,646.

dome is to be formed is first flared outwardly and then bent to its desired shape.

A further object of the invention is to provide a male die with. means forfo-rcing the blank from which the dome is to be formed from such die should there be any binding action between such blank and th guiding portion of such die.

This and other objects will be apparent from the following description:

Referring to the drawings in reference characters refer to like parts Fig. 1, is an elevational view of a press with the male and female part mounted thereon, a portion of the male die being shown in inoperative position; Fig. 2, is a plan view of the.

bottom holder and female die mounted thereon, such die being shown in full lines in inoperative position and in dot and dash llnes in operative position. Fig. 3, is an enlarged plan view of the female die and holder, portion of the holder being broken away. Fig. 4, is an elevational view of the same. the same taken on the line 55 of Figure 3. Figure 6, is an elevational view of the male die and top holder. Fig. 7, is a bottom plan view of the same Fig. 8, is a sectional view of the same taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the male die and top platen of thepress the ring portion of said male die being shown in inoperative position, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the tank dome flanged and applied to a portion of a tank. 4 Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference character 1 indicates the female die and 2 the male die, the female die being movably mounted on a holder 3 which is secured to the bottom'platen 3 of a press, and the male die being mounted on a holder 4 secured to the top platen 5 of the press.

The holder 3 may be made of any suitable form and is preferably provided with a hor izontally disposed portion 6 which is provided with an opening 7 through which a plunger 8 is adapted tobe moved. This holder is provided at its sides with guide members 9 which have inwardly extending The female die comprises a horizontally disposed base portion 11, and a flange formwhich 111a.

Figure/5, is a cross-sectional View of ing portion 12. These portions may be integral or as shown in the drawing may be made separate. mounted on the holder 3 and is. movable longitudinally of the holder and accidental upward movement of the base 11 is prevented by the portions 10 of the guide members 9,

which portions overlap the sides of the base 11. At substantially the center of the base portion an opening 13 is provided which is adapted to register with the opening 7 in the holder 3. This base portion is also preferably provided with a plurality of rollers 14 each of which is loosely mounted on an axle 15 eccentrically mounted on the base portion. Each of these axles is provided with a lever 16 ,which when moved in the direction as indicated by thearrows in Fig. 4 will cause the axle 15 to rotate in the same direction and such axle due to its eccentric mounting Will cause the base portion to move upwardly a sufficient distance so that the base portion will be out of contact therewith and the rollers only will be in contact with the holder thus rendering the moving of the female die easy. On the base portion 11 member 17 is provided which at its center is provided with a downwardly depending portion 18 which extends within the opening 13 in the base portion 11, the plunger 8 being adapted to engage such portion 18 and move themember 17 vertically.

The flange forming portion 12 of the fe male die rests on the base portion 11 and surrounds the member 17. This portion of the die preferably. comprises two sections 19 which are hinged together by bars 20 which are loosely secured to lugs 21, formed on each part, by pins 22. At the opposite side of the die the sections are provided with lugs 23 which are connected with a lever 24, the lug on one of said sections being connected with one of the ends of the lever through the medium of a link 25 and the corresponding lug on the other of said sections being connected with the lever through the medium of a link 26 such link being connected with the lever at a point intermediate the ends of the lever, so that when the lever is moved in the direction as in dicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, the sections 19v will be forced outwardly from each other and when moved in the opposite direction the sections 19 will be drawn together. The interior of the die is annular in form and is of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the blank from which the dome is made. The upper or flange forming surface 27 of the female die is concave in elevation as shown in Fig. 4, the radius of such surface being substantially the same as i the radius of the tank to which the dome is to be applied.

The male die comprises a flange forming part 28 and a guide part 29 both of which The base portion 11, is

cured to the top platen of the press by bolts or other suitable means. This member depends downwardly from the holder 4 and is preferably of annuuar form, the outside diameter being substantially the same or slightly less than the diameter of the inside surface of the blank from which the dome is formed. The interior of this member is preferably hollow and is provided with strengthening ribs 31. The flange forming part 28 surrounds the upper portion of the guide part 29 and is rigidly connected with the holder 4, by a shoulder 32 which engages with a shoulder 33 on the part 29. The flange forming surface 34 is convex in elevation as shown in Fig. 6, and substantially conforms to the shapeof the flange forming surface 27 of the female die. This male die also comprises a ring 35 having the opening 36 thereof made large enough for the portion of the part 29 projecting below the flange forming part to extend therethrough. The upper surface of this ring is concave in form andconforms substantially to the shape of the flange forming surface 34 of the male die. The lower edge 37 of this ring is convex in form and substantially conforms to the shape of the flange forming surface 27 of the female die while the pressing surface 38 extends upwardly and outwardly from such edge at varying angles. At opposite sides of the ring, projecting lugs 39 are provided which may be made integral with the ring or may be made sepawhich are loosely mounted on pins or bolts 43. Within each yoke a wheel 44 is loosely mounted on the bolt 43, which wheel is adapted to travel on a track bar 45 which is secured to the top platen of the press through the medium of bracket members 46. When the ring is in the position as shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 6, the chains 41 support the ring in this position and when in this position the ring may be moved from between the male and female dies, to the position as shown in Fig. 1. Between the flange forming part and the guide part, a member 47 is loosely mounted which member comprises a vertically disposed portion 48 having a stop lug 49 formed thereon which is adapted to engage a stop lug 50 formed on the part 29. The lower portion 51 of this member extends through the flange forming part 28 and is provided with a pin 52, the use of such member and pin being hereinafter set forth. The bottom surface 53 of the member forms a part of the neeaaae and may be made integral with the member 47 or as shown in the drawings may be made of a separate piece. and secured to the member by threaded members or any other suitable means.

. In making a tank car dome, the metal plate from which the dome is tobe formed is first bent to cylindrical form, the end to be flanged is then heated in any suitable manner. The cylinder is then placed vertically in the female die which die is in the'position as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the lower end of such cylinder resting on the member 17 and the upper heated end extending a suflicient distance above the flange forming surface 27 of the female die. The female die and cylinder are then moved by any suitable means to the postion as shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 2 where it is directly under the male die. The levers 16 are now. moved in the direction as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4, to the position as shown in this figure which causes the female die to move downwardly to a position of rest on the holder 3 and when in this position it'Will be noted that the rollers 14 will be free from the weight of the die and that the frictional engagement between the die and the holder will prevent any accidental movement of the die relative to the holder.

The platenyhold'er and female die, with the cylinder is now moved upwardly and by such movement the heated end of the cylinder is brought into engagement with the "ring 35 which forces the heated metal outfemale die' lowered which causes the members v47 to move downwardly and forces the ring 85 downwardly, if there isany binding action between thering and the guiding part 29 of the male die. When the ring has been moved downwardly to a position as shown in dot and dash lines in Figs. 6 and 7 the chain is removed from the pin and the female die is lowered a sufficient distance for the partially formed flange to clear the lower part of the ring. In some cases the cylinder may have a tendency to bind on the male die and further have a tendency to permit the female die to move downwardly and away from the cylinder and in such cases the ring will force the cylinder downwardly from the male die thus keeping the cylinder and female die in their proper position relative to each other. The ring is now supported by the chains 41 and is moved by any suitable means to :a position as shown in Fig. 1, where it will not interfere .with the further operation of the male and-female dies. It

will here be noted that by the use of the rollers 44 and tracks 45 the ring is movable very'easily and that the ring as it is moved is held substantially in line with the male die and in its proper inoperative position relative thereto. The female die is now moved upwardly again and the flange partially formed engages the flange forming surface 34 ofthe male die and as such move- 4 these members being in contact with the flange will force the cylinder downwardly and will force the cylinder from the male die should there be any binding between the cylinder and the male die. When the cylinder has been stripped from the male die the chain 54 is taken from the pin 52 and the female die then lowered'to'its proper position. It will here be noted that before the flange partially formed contacts with v the flange forming surface 34 of the male die. the lower portion of the part 29 of the male die, which is of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the interior of' the cylinder, will project into such cylinder and will prevent any tendency of the metal below the flange partially formed from buckling when the flange is being finally formed. It will be noted further that as the female die moves upwardly the flange partially formed will engage the lower parts of the members 47 and will force such members upwardly until the top portions thereof stop against the top holder 4 at vwhich time the lower part 51 formsa part of the flange forming surface 34.

After the cylinder has been stripped from the male die and the female die has been lowered, I the levers 16 are moved in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4, which causes the female die to be supported on the rollers 14. The female die is then moved along the holder to the position as shown in Fig. 1, when the flanged cylinder is removed from the die. The ring 35 is now moved under the portion 29 of the male die and raised by any suitable means to its proper postion on such portion as shown in full lines in Figs. 6 and 7.

The dies are now in their proper relative positions for forming a flange on another cylinder.

In the foregoing the male die has been described as being rigidly mounted and the female die as being movable upwardly and downwardly relative thereto but it will be understood that the male die maybe movablymounted and the female rigidly mountedor both of these jdies may be so mounted that each one may be movable toward the other.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device for forming a substantially continuous flange on the hollow portion of a metallic cylindrical member, a plurality of dies, one of said dies having a ring die mounted thereon, adapted to cooperate with the other of said dies to initially press said flange, said ring die being removable to permit said dies to cooperate to press said flange into the form desired.

2. In a device for forming a flange on a hollow portion of a metallic cylindrical 'member, a female die adapted to receive said member, a male die having a ring member co-operating therewith and with said female die to partially form said flange, said male die co-operating with said female die to complete the formation of said flange without the intervention of said ring.

3. In a device for forming a flange on a I hollow portion of a metallic member of cylindrical form, a male die, a female die adapted to receive said member and a ring on said male die adapted to initially press outwardly the portion of said members from which said flange is to be formed, and be removed from said die after the initial pressing, said male die being adapted to force said portion downwardly into close contact with said female die after the ring has been removed.

4:. In a device for forming a flange on the hollow portion'of a metallic member of cylindrical form, a pair of dies, and means arranged between said dies for initially pressing outwardly the portion of said member from which said flange is formed, said means being movable from between said dies before said dies are in co-operating positions to press said flange to desired form.

5. In a device for forming a flange on the hollow portion of a metallic member of cylindrical form, a male die, a ring on said die, a female die adapted to receive said member, said ring being adapted to bend a portion of said member outwardly and then be moved to a position away from said dies and member, said male die, after said ring has been moved away, being adapted to engage the portion of said member so bent and force it into close contact with the pressing surface of said female die to form said flange.

6. In a device for flanging hollow metallic object, a male die secured to a press, a

female die mounted on said press and being movable from its inoperative position out of the vertical plane of the male die to its operative position in the vertical plane of the male die, a hollow metallic object carried by said female die, said (lie and object being movable vertically when in operative positions, a ring on said male 'die adapted to bend a portion of said object outwardly as said female die and object are moved upwardly, means on said male die forforcing said ring and object from said'male die as said female die is moveddownwardly, said ring belng movable horlzontally out. of the vertical plane of the male die and the obhollow metallic member of cylindrical form,

a pair of dies, and means arranged between said dies for initially pressing outwardly the portion of said member from which said flange is to be formed, a block loosely mounted on one of said dies adapted to force said ring and member from said die, said means being movable from between said dies be-' fore said dies are moved to their cooperating final flange forming positions.

8. In a device for forming a flange on a hollow metallic member of 'cylindrical form, a male die, a ring on said die, a female die adapted to receive said member, said ring being adapted to bend a portion of said member outwardly, means mounted in said male die adapted to force said ring from said die after said member has been bent outwardly, means whereby said ring is moved to a position away from said dies and member when said ringha s been removed from said male die, said male'die being adapted to engage the bent portion of said member and force it into close contact with said female die to form said flange.

9. In a device for flanging a hollow metallic object, a pair of dies adapted to cooperate to form a flange on said object, one of said dies being movable toward the other, a ring on one of said dies adapted to initially press a portion of said object outwardly as one of said dies is moved toward the other, means on one of said dies adapted to force said ring and object from the said die, said means being adapted to engage and force said object from said die engage said flange forming portion, and means movably mounted in said flange forming portion, adapted to engage said ring and force said ring from said guiding portion.

11. In a device for forming a flange on a hollow metallic object, a female die, a cooperating male die, said die comprising a pressing portion and a projecting guiding portion, a ring on said guide portion adapted to be engaged by said pressing portion, and a block slidably mounted in said die and forming a portion of said pressing portion adapted to engage said ring and force said ring from said guiding portion.

12. In a method of forming a flange on a dome for tank cars and the like consisting of placing a blank in a female die, moving said die and blank under a male die having a ring mounted thereon, moving the female die and blank upwardly until said blank has engaged and been bent outwardly by said ring, moving the female die, blank and ring downwardly until they are entirely free from said male die, moving said female die and blank downwardly until they are entirely free from said ring, moving said ring out of the vertical plane of said dies and blank, and moving said female die and blank upwardly into contact with said male die causing that portion of the blank, bent by said ring, to be bent downwardly Over said female die to form a flange.

13. In a method of forming a continuous flange on a dome for-tank cars and the like comprising the heating of the end portion of a cylindrical blank from which the dome is to be made, placing said blank in a female die positioned in the plane of a male die, which has a ring mounted thereon, moving said female die and blank until the heated end portion of said blank has been engaged and bent outwardly by said ring, moving said female die, blank and ring until they are free of said male die, moving said female die and blank free of said ring moving said ring out of the plane of said dies and moving said female die and blank into engagement with said male die whereby the heated portion bent by the ring is pressed between said dies and finally form a flange.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ARCHIBALD ALSTON, JR.

Witnesses:

HARRY W. CARBAUGH, J. J. CLARKE. 

